Every room within your home can reflect your personal style. By partnering with an interior designer, homeowners are empowered to begin their interiors projects with a big-picture view.

Design professionals help to guide decisions on many details and will also leverage their resources to uncover great finds related to furniture, décor and more. And they help keep a project on track — and on budget.

We talked with the team at Tatum Brown Interiors to outline some tips and trends on interior design, all of which will help you create a home that truly reflects your vision and lifestyle.

Tip: Start with a list
Before you begin a project, outline your preferences, color palette, inspirations and aspirations. This way you have a foundation from which to build, and your list will help keep you on track.

As you ramp up for your interiors projects, develop a collection of images you love (check out Houzz and Pinterest for inspiration), and think about the ways your existing style could evolve. For example, if you entertain frequently, let your designer know, because abundant seating in the living and dining rooms will be important. For art collectors, lighting will be key. For families with young children, durable furniture fabric will definitely be on the list.

Trend: A little togetherness
As modern and contemporary design grows in popularity, many homeowners want to blend old pieces with new. And it’s completely possible for an inherited dining room table or chest of drawers to work cohesively with more modern furniture and décor selections.

“We recommend avoiding a look where it appears that all of the furniture in a room came from a single source, just as we guide clients away from a mismatched look,” says Morgan Farrow, senior designer with Tatum Brown Interiors.

“Start with a vintage piece and build from there, mixing in contemporary pieces or interesting fabrics to really bring the space to life in an updated way.”

Tip: Color counts
Clean lines and neutral palettes are still very popular, but homeowners are starting to add in even more color. For instance, in kitchens, the main surfaces are still trending white, but many homeowners are contrasting the white with darker stained or painted cabinets or colorful walls to bring variety and texture. (Read more about beautiful and practical kitchen trends here.)

Throughout the home, add bold art and accent pieces to make an impact.

Trend: Lighting for sustainability
Much has been written on sustainability and the shift to light emitting diode (LED) lighting. LED lighting is an initial investment, but the longer-term value, both economic and environmental, are attractive and important to homeowners.

As far as interior trends for fixtures, Farrow says Tatum Brown Interiors has seen a resurgence of antique brass, steel and other raw material finishes. She points to Visual Comfort and Arteriors Home as having a great selection of fixtures in these popular finishes.

Trend: Wallpaper
One of the biggest trends in interiors is wallpaper. It’s a popular choice because it adds instant color and texture, can change the ambience of a particular space, and even make a whimsical or dramatic statement.

“We recently completed the interior design of a home where we used wallpaper in different ways: a dramatic purple and gold for a burst of color in the pass-through bar, as well as an unexpected neutral pattern on the ceiling of the master bedroom,” Farrow says.

You can make a statement through the variety of pattern, scale and motif in available wall-covering selections. When looking for the perfect wallpaper to complete your space, a designer can provide access to many brands and help sort through selection books to narrow down choices that will work the best for you.

Trend: Flooring
In flooring, one of the most popular choices is reclaimed wood, which brings a sense of nature into the home. Reclaimed wood can help to create that purposeful mix-and-match look, by balancing out modern design.

The wood color also makes a difference. Modern homeowners are gravitating toward lighter, more natural wood tones with a hint of gray.

Trend: Décor
Carrying through with the popularity of mixing and matching, décor trends revolve around incorporating modern, clean-lined pieces with warmer, textured pieces. Think a modern sofa with a shag-style rug or a Moroccan rug layered over a larger sea grass rug. The look is streamlined but cozy.

Carefully placed items with bold colors also add an unexpected pop.

Tip: Find the right match
An interior designer can help with so many design variables, but finding the right professional to match your style and personality is important, especially because you’ll be spending a lot of time together.

Talk through your ideas and work together to identify where you’d like to start first in the home, whether it’s the living room or master bedroom. And before you even begin to make decisions, share your scope and budget.

Armed with all of the information you can provide, your designer can help you create the plan that matches your expectations and brings your interior design vision to reality.

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Learn more about custom homebuilding by visiting the Tatum Brown Custom Homes website or Facebook.

A dramatic light fixture adds impact.

Photo courtesy of Tatum Brown

A dramatic light fixture adds impact.